Once you have chosen a bird, think about what you’re going to make.

• Are you going to draw or paint the bird? Make one using paper cut-outs, modelling clay or any otehr craft materials you can find. You could even make it as big and bright as a poster.
• Choose tools which you enjoy using and which work well for the bird you have chosen. Some birds, like guillemots, have few colours and really clear lines, and might work well with some materials and methods. Others, like gannets, have gradually shifting colours which work best with other methods.

Now you have found the right bird and the right materials, you can choose what you want the bird to be doing.

• What does your bird do?
• Does it dive into the sea?
• Does it live in big groups?
• What do its nest and eggs look like?
• Try to choose something which your bird actually does, as that will help you find good images if you would like to work from a photo.

With the right bird, materials, and action, you’re ready to get started. Take your time with this and make sure you focus on the bird.

• If you’re including eggs, are they the right colour?
• What do its feet look like up close?
• What colour are its eyes?
• Try to imagine the sound of the bird or the ocean as you work and see if that helps you.
• Look at the overall shapes as well, does your bird’s outline look like the one in the photo?
• Are the body parts in proportion?

This is your chance to enjoy the birds for their beauty and to pass that on to other people who might not take the time to look and learn, I hope you enjoy it!

Submit your final designs onto the Biosecurity for LIFE website here so other pupils can enjoy them